[UPDATE 3:04 p.m.] Child With Major Injuries Medevacked to an Out of the Area Hospital

Emergency vehicles prepare the landing zone for the helicopter at Berry Summit. [Image from the Caltrans Traffic Cam in the area]

A four or five-year-old male child from the Hoopa area was taken by helicopter to an out of the area hospital after receiving major injuries today.

According to Samantha Karges, Public Information Specialist, with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, “About 12:45 p.m. we received a call from Grasshopper Lane. There was a child with major injuries.”

Karges said that although the initial call seemed to say the child had a gunshot wound and several injuries to the head, “At this point in time, we are still investigating but it is likely that it is not [a gunshot wound].”

UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: Samantha Karges from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office let us know that “deputies on scene found no evidence of gunfire.” She said, “Rather it appears to have been some sort of firework that was set off inside the residence…We’re still investigating but it appears accidental.”

Yes, I imagine he was badly burned, poor little guy. Let’s hope the community businesses set out donation jars for his skin graphs, dressings, bills, and needs. GoFundMe’s are good, too, but once out of sight, out of mind, and he & his family will be needing help for a long time. They’ll need both and more.

I agree. The costs will be unbearable and they’ll be frantic. Maybe good Samaritans will step up to the plate and offer free gas cards, motel rooms, restaurant prepaid meals, and so much more. There’s always too much month at the end of the money, even under normal circumstances. This will be heavy duty hardship for them for a long long time.
Any updates yet from the hospital side?

The ambulance always moves towards the hospital. Stopping and waiting at Hoopa or Willow Creek airport for the helo isn’t good time management. Usually vista point is a good spot for the ambulance and helo to meet without waiting.

A firecracker??? Just as bad as giving a child a loaded gun in my opinion.. how did the baby light it in the first place??
I hope this child pulls through and the parents aren’t given a second chance to get their heads out of their behinds…. 😡